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No team in the CHSHL has played fewer games than Chaminade. That changes with three games next week, including back-to-back tilts against Iona Prep and St. Anthony’s.

With those showdowns on the horizon, a win against Monsignor Farrell Wednesday night was critical. The Flyers delivered, beating the Lions, 4-0, at World Ice Arena in Flushing in a game much closer than the final score indicated.

Because of that, and a few other reasons, Chaminade coach Frank Bendl wasn’t particularly pleased with his team afterward.

“It’s too close for comfort,” Bendl said. “For my team, it’s not a good game…We were very sloppy.”

One thing Bendl did like, though, was his defense and goaltending. Brandon DeStasio was the Flyers MVP a year ago, Bendl said, and that continues this season. DeStasio made 25 saves to earn his second shutout of the year.

“[The defense] made it very easy for me, I saw every shot and they cleared most of the rebounds,” DeStasio said. “I didn’t have to make a second save most of the time. They did a great job in front of me and that’s why I got the shutout.”

Chaminade (5-1-0 CHSHL A), ranked No. 7 in MSG Varsity’s Long Island/New York City power rankings, jumped in front 1:46 into the first period on an unassisted goal by Liam Fitzgerald.

James Henry made it 2-0 with 1:19 left in the period, beating Farrell goalie Kyle Schumacher through a screen.

That would be the only goal Schumacher would give up until the final 3:17 of the third period, making 31 saves to keep undermanned Farrell (3-6-0) in the game.

“We’re lucky to have a good goalie,” Farrell assistant Carmine Manna said. “Our biggest asset is our goalie. He’s a solid kid on and off the ice. He’s a real rock back there for us. I’m very proud of him.”

Both teams had several power play chances in the chippy game, including a 5-on-3 for each, but neither was able to cash in with the man advantage. The Flyers wore down the Lions and tacked on a pair of goals in the final 3:17 by John Stevenson and Andrew Verlucci as Chaminade defeated Monsignor Farrell for the second time in four days and moved into sole possession of third place.

However Stevenson was involved in an altercation at the final whistle and will now have to serve a suspension, missing all three of the Flyers big games next week.

“I’m not happy one of our top players gets a suspension,” Bendl said. “There’s no reason for it.”